Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Please Reply to: kim kimfue@xxxxxxx or ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
==========================================

Nancy,
  First, thanks for commenting on the WEC.  I respect your experience as a 
competitor and as a vet.  I appreciate you posting your observations.  But I 
would like to make a few comments in regard to them.

1. Do you really expect this discussion list to be silent on all that we have 
observed at the WEC?  Do you realize for the past week ridecamp, endurance.net, 
and the UAE endurance website have inandated the endurance community with 
videos, interviews, pictures, play by play reporting.  There was a live 
broadcast of the race.  Of course we weren't there but we were sure encouraged 
to feel like we were part of the experience.  There were even press releases 
from USA-E. Now, because there is some discussion on some of the negative 
aspects of the race that were reported we are not supposed to comment and 
discuss them.  When UAE news reports that the gold medal is stripped from the 
winner we are supposed to stay silent until the issue is resolved???  That is 
like asking that there be no discussion on the men's gold medal gymnastic 
nightmare at last summer's olympics until it was resolved months later.  I 
think you are expecting too much....It was the sheik himself in interviews that 
claimed this was his horse's first 100 mile ride.  How would I have known?  He 
was quoted in two different articles.  I shouldn't question how he qualified 
when I am sure that US riders needed a 100 mile COC to qualify.  If exceptions 
can be made for one country why not for our riders???  It would sure save US 
riders a lot of money if we didn't have to qualify with a COC.

2. As far as the high pull rate, there have been several discussions in the 
past about high pull rates at the Tevis and the NC.  Such a high attrition rate 
is worthy of discussion. I think that focusing on the high pull rate at the 
Tevis may have lead to the addition of entry qualifications and an added vet/pr 
check but of course I could be wrong.  I have to say that it is interesting 
that you never mention the speed as a possible factor in the high pull rate 
although everything from travel stress to stricter vetting was mentioned.  I am 
sorry I have to disagree with you but a high pull rate like the WEC had is not 
acceptable or OK.  Every ride can have excuses on why the pull rate was so 
high....the reason for the high pull rate at the WEC is not a better reason 
then the ones given for the tevis or the NC.

3. Can you tell how much real support FEI riding has in the general membership 
of AERC?  Again, an honest question.  If there was a lot of support (meaning 
large numbers) for this style of riding your working base to put on FEI rides 
and a WEC would be much higher.  Can you honestly say the AERC I has done a 
good job to build it's base and get new riders interested in FEI? How about 
fundraising specifically for AERC international and stop expecting support from 
the general membership.  I notice that individual rides can get huge 
sponsorships why not approach these same sponsors to fund your international 
riding program. I think it is very generous that the AERC board approved 
loaning $800 to ride managers who sanction FEI rides along with their AERC 
rides.  As a new, first time ride manager, I wish I could get a loan as seed 
money for my AERC ride.  In my opinion, the AERC philosophy and the "new" 
international philosophy are very different. You can't expect most AERC riders 
to support a venue that they feel is not putting the horse first. The 
international venue today does not seem it puts the horse first.  It may not be 
fact but it sure is the impression. I know there are several of you that have 
dedicated yourselves to international riding.  It is your passion just like 
trail preservation may be the passion of another AERC member and sponsoring 
juniors the passion of another and the Tevis Cup another.  I keep hearing there 
is room for all in the big tent BUT a small minority keeps speaking up that it 
isn't getting its support from the majority.  It seems to me the smaller group 
should concentrate more on building it's numbers before it demands more elbow 
room under the tent.  I really don't understand if FEI riding has big support 
numbers why you just don't break off and reorganize with USA-E. Those members 
who want could have dual membership in AERC.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

Ride Long and Ride Safe!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-